*TURBONERD*
Active member
13036550:theBearJew said:
It was 6 months for me both times.
Official mountain biking thread
- Thread starter bakedpow
- Start date
- Featured
It was 6 months for me both times.
division.bell
Active member
13037235:b-kul said:
Personal preference. I wouldn't run a Fox CTD, but that's me.
These bikes have been a long time coming, and should be ready to ride very soon. Just waiting on some final parts to show up then it should be time to get them built up.
division.bell
Active member
13037914:b-kul said:
If the option to go with the DB Air Inline was available when I bought the frames, I probably would've gone that route to save a bit of weight, but I'm really looking forward to getting the DB Air setup. The Endorphins will have the DB Air Inline option in the next few weeks...
I don't have any time on a Monarch myself, but I would definitely choose Rock Shox over Fox any day.
NinetyFour
Active member
Did a big 40KM 'solstice' ride today through the local hills. We just had about 4 days of rain so it was an absolute slog fest; and I never even checked the tire pressures until I got home, but I was running 45psi, aha way too much. Was still a lot of fun though, I've never done anything that long before, with creek crossings and stuff to. The bike will need some work to keep it rolling smoothly after today though.
kirbstopper
Member
Thought I would contribute and post my rigs. If anyone is riding bike park, trails,or dj's in Whistler, hit me up. I'm riding most days. I'll post some actual bike riding soon aswell.
DH - 2011 Norco Aline
Rockshox Boxxer RC
Fox Van R
Shimano Saint/Zee Drivetrain
Shimano Saint Brakes
Race Face Atlas Bars
Trail - 2011 Norco Truax dropped to 150mm + Converted to 650b wheels
XFusion Vengeance (best fork I've owned)
Rockshox Monarch
Shimano XT drivetrain 1x10, with raceface narrow wide chainring
Shimano Saint brakes/hubs
Race face atlas handelbar/stem
KS Lev dropper post (life changing)
DJ - Commencal 4x
Marzocchi DJ3
Shimano Saint 9spd drivetrain
Avid CodeR rear brake.
DMR bar stem
DH - 2011 Norco Aline
Rockshox Boxxer RC
Fox Van R
Shimano Saint/Zee Drivetrain
Shimano Saint Brakes
Race Face Atlas Bars
Trail - 2011 Norco Truax dropped to 150mm + Converted to 650b wheels
XFusion Vengeance (best fork I've owned)
Rockshox Monarch
Shimano XT drivetrain 1x10, with raceface narrow wide chainring
Shimano Saint brakes/hubs
Race face atlas handelbar/stem
KS Lev dropper post (life changing)
DJ - Commencal 4x
Marzocchi DJ3
Shimano Saint 9spd drivetrain
Avid CodeR rear brake.
DMR bar stem
stupendous-man
Active member
building some shenanigans
1/3 of my pumptrack
small jump that gaps the pumptrack
table in progress
1/3 of my pumptrack
small jump that gaps the pumptrack
table in progress
cydwhit
Active member
cwillygood
Active member
Does anyone here use Strava? I find it kind of fun to compete against other riders. Keeps me in good shape too.
Anyway i have a 2008 Santa Cruz Nomad with a bunch of upgraded parts. Bummed my dropper post broke though
Pic on the trails at my house
Anyway i have a 2008 Santa Cruz Nomad with a bunch of upgraded parts. Bummed my dropper post broke though
Pic on the trails at my house
last_tango
Active member
Total noob here when building bikes but is it possible if I buy a kona stinky delux (or any starter dh rig for cheap from around that time) from 06'ish, buy a newer better frame down the road, and take the parts from the old stinky and put it on the newer frame a I get down the road?
The reason why I said this is the guy who I work with DH's and said the newer the frame I get the better ride I will get. Is this also true?
The reason why I said this is the guy who I work with DH's and said the newer the frame I get the better ride I will get. Is this also true?
cwillygood
Active member
13038838:last_tango said:
Depends what parts i know the headtube and bottom brackets have changed alot since 06. But yes i newer frame will ride alot better. The technology going into the new bikes is insane, especially in the rear suspension and strength to weight ratio
Dustin.
Active member
I just took a new route on a run from my new house and had a pretty sweet surprise! Off in the woods about a mile from my house someone has built upwards of 15 DH style trails covering the entire hill! Jumps, berms, smooth looking single track, tons of options. I live in a super small town on the country side, so I hope to meet this person and I can't wait to grab my bike. This might be my daily wind down after work!
MLJ
Active member
What are some companies to check out if i'm looking into buying a bike for xc or downhill? Im just doing some preliminary research to see whats out there. I really want to get into it though.
My budget will be around $1500 to $2000 if that matters, and Ive used a specialised XC bike once, but they are crazy expensive so thats probably out of the question.
My budget will be around $1500 to $2000 if that matters, and Ive used a specialised XC bike once, but they are crazy expensive so thats probably out of the question.
MLJ
Active member
13038902:MLJ said:
In hindsight, Im probably looking for a trail bike, being decent for ascents but still great for descents.
I will probably be doing 50% uphill or xc, 40% Downhill tracks and 10% little jumps and stuff, but nothing more than 15 feet so i think getting a dh bike would be overkill and it would suck for going up. What would be a good bike in the middle that could be used for everything?
division.bell
Active member
13038942:MLJ said:
Do you have any bike shops in your area to check out, or will you be researching and purchasing online?
If you have local shops, go check out some bikes and see what they carry and what feels comfortable. For a general trail bike, I'd be looking for something with 140-160mm of travel front and rear.
There are so many bike companies out there these days it can get pretty overwhelming if you don't narrow down your search parameters.
b-kul
Active member
^+1. 140-160 mm is the sweet spot. probably 650b since thats what way the market is going. don't let anyone convince you brand x sucks, every company offers a good trail bike, you just have to find the one that suits your riding and budget. imo the giant trance probably offers the best bang for the buck in the segment. but ride as many bikes of all styles that you can.
Anyone have experience with the 2013 Giant Reign 1? Bike seems like good value with a dropper post and now that they included ISG tabs I'm considering it for an "enduro/all mtn" rig.
I raced DH for three seasons, so my main concern is durability. I'm not looking to hit the 100% gnar DH trails but I would want to take the bike into the bike park and do a couple of enduro style races.
Am I asking too much out of this bike?
I raced DH for three seasons, so my main concern is durability. I'm not looking to hit the 100% gnar DH trails but I would want to take the bike into the bike park and do a couple of enduro style races.
Am I asking too much out of this bike?
Tinga
Active member
13038902:MLJ said:
trek and giant are your bang for your buck company where brands like cannondale and specialized are a bit more expensive. those are kinda of the big four brands. scwinn and diamond back.... not worth your time. for around $2000 yours looking at a nice hard tail or an entry level full suspension. on a hard tail you can get entry level trail components with hydraulic disc brakes and an air fork for about $1300. the equivalent full suspension bike is going to run you around $2200. go 650b for a wheel size because thats where the market is going. if you go to a bike shop they will probably have a 29er or 26er on sale because no one wants to buy those wheel sizes any more except for the die hards.
cydwhit
Active member
13039504:Tinga said:
man, I would really say go used, for under $1300 I got my reign with full x9 build and a dropper post, and I wouldn't say 29 and 26 are for diehards, there is still a great market for both of those wheel sizes. 27.5 may be the future but the past sure hasn't died all the way yet.
division.bell
Active member
I'm glad this thread has not died off or lost interest so far! I'll get some trail shots posted when I get out on the trails again. Let's keep this shit going.
Build update: Only missing headsets, saddles, and tires for both Endorphins; everything else has been delivered or is en route. But I've run into a wall and would appreciate some insight, especially from the riders in the PNW.
I cannot for the life of me. decide on tires. I'm currently running the first gen Conti Mountain King 2.4 Protections. They are acceptable for the riding I do, but lack tremendously when there are loose on hard surfaces in corners, and when things get a little greasy. I don't know how many times my front tire has partially washed out nearly sending me to certain death; I'm fucking done.
Currently looking at the obvious, Minion DHF/DHR II combo, Trail King 2.4's, and not really considering the Kenda Nevegals or Excavators. If you (Bakerpow, I know you've got something for me here) have any experience on any of these tires, please help me out! If you can be specific about which width/compound/ply, that would definitely help.
Thanks guys! Pictures to come as soon as I have everything in hand.
Handlebar that showed up for me today:
Build update: Only missing headsets, saddles, and tires for both Endorphins; everything else has been delivered or is en route. But I've run into a wall and would appreciate some insight, especially from the riders in the PNW.
I cannot for the life of me. decide on tires. I'm currently running the first gen Conti Mountain King 2.4 Protections. They are acceptable for the riding I do, but lack tremendously when there are loose on hard surfaces in corners, and when things get a little greasy. I don't know how many times my front tire has partially washed out nearly sending me to certain death; I'm fucking done.
Currently looking at the obvious, Minion DHF/DHR II combo, Trail King 2.4's, and not really considering the Kenda Nevegals or Excavators. If you (Bakerpow, I know you've got something for me here) have any experience on any of these tires, please help me out! If you can be specific about which width/compound/ply, that would definitely help.
Thanks guys! Pictures to come as soon as I have everything in hand.
Handlebar that showed up for me today:
Tinga
Active member
13039551:cydwhit said:
thats a hell of a deal. you can get great deals buying used bikes but you can also get royally fucked. so be careful.
Wheel sizes. I think there will always been a market for a good XC 29er bike. I think the 26er is dying faster than anyone wants to admit. and it should really. the only reason 26 was ever the standard was because that just happened to be the size tire schwinn made in the width and nobbies the first mountain bikers liked. don't buy a 26er.
cydwhit
Active member
13039561:division.bell said:I'm glad this thread has not died off or lost interest so far! I'll get some trail shots posted when I get out on the trails again. Let's keep this shit going.
Build update: Only missing headsets, saddles, and tires for both Endorphins; everything else has been delivered or is en route. But I've run into a wall and would appreciate some insight, especially from the riders in the PNW.
I cannot for the life of me. decide on tires. I'm currently running the first gen Conti Mountain King 2.4 Protections. They are acceptable for the riding I do, but lack tremendously when there are loose on hard surfaces in corners, and when things get a little greasy. I don't know how many times my front tire has partially washed out nearly sending me to certain death; I'm fucking done.
Currently looking at the obvious, Minion DHF/DHR II combo, Trail King 2.4's, and not really considering the Kenda Nevegals or Excavators. If you (Bakerpow, I know you've got something for me here) have any experience on any of these tires, please help me out! If you can be specific about which width/compound/ply, that would definitely help.
Thanks guys! Pictures to come as soon as I have everything in hand.
Handlebar that showed up for me today:
I'll throw in my $.02 as an Idaho rider. I used to be on a nevegall/blue groove combo that was sick but pretty slow, now I am the DHF DHR II combo and it is insane. I have only been on it for a couple weeks but it has been dope. I bought the bike used from a guy in bellingham and it came with a DHF 2.5 in the back and a DHR 2.4 in the front and so far it has been great in the mud and on some tacky or dusty trails I have had recently.
cwillygood
Active member
13038942:MLJ said:
i got my Santa Cruz Nomad for 2000$ used with a dropper post on Pinkbike.com, i have but like another 1000 into it ( i didn't have to but wanted to), its a do it all bike, decent at pretty much everything, i can keep up with the xc guys and the dh guys. If you do decide to buy used i would definitely make sure to check it in person before.
bakedpow
Active member
13039561:division.bell said:
on my old nomad i ran the dhf/dhr combo and it killed it, it was just what came with the bike from the shop. at that point in my biking i just kind of rode what the shop suggested. iv now realized i can make my own decisions
only problem was they wore out pretty quickly so i was replacing tires a little fast. i dont remember the specifics of those tires as that was over 2 years ago... i still miss that bikefor my front im probably gona go with a dhf 2.35 or 2.5, 2ply most likely or whatever my friend who works at a shop can get his hands on cheaply. after blowing all my cash on the bike iv been antsy to get tires but havent had the cash. high rollers came with my bike on front and back so im thinking just run a dhf up front with highroller in the back then depending on how it feels either stick with that combo or go back to dhr. high rollers up front are a ridiculous notion where i ride.
my friends who ride for scott run magic carpets front and bike and they love em. but those are on their gamblers so theyre not doing any uphill whatsoever. iv ridden the trail king on a buddies operator and from the one ride they were amazing. not enough time on them to really give a review though. from the years biking in the nw iv always ran minions of some sort, iv never really been given a reason to switch tires. hope that helps somewhat haha.
division.bell
Active member
13039551:cydwhit said:
Agreed. 26 inch wheels are not dead. 650b has been around for a long time and is finally getting hype behind it. These trends are nothing new. All three wheel sizes; 26, 27.5 (650b), 29, will continue to be available
13039576:cydwhit said:
Thanks dude, I appreciate the information! Do you know which compound you're running?
13039645:Bakerpow said:
Seems like this will most likely be the route I go. The Trail Kings seem like really nice tires and would definitely be an upgrade over my old Mountain Kings, but there's not as much glowing reviews of the Trail Kings in comparison to the Minions, especially for our area.
Thanks!
division.bell
Active member
13039693:cydwhit said:
I'm about 30 miles or so east of Seattle. I ride all over though, mostly western WA, with trips to central or eastern WA, as well as the Bend area. And I don't shuttle or typically ride bike parks; pedal power.
b-kul
Active member
13039561:division.bell said:I'm glad this thread has not died off or lost interest so far! I'll get some trail shots posted when I get out on the trails again. Let's keep this shit going.
Build update: Only missing headsets, saddles, and tires for both Endorphins; everything else has been delivered or is en route. But I've run into a wall and would appreciate some insight, especially from the riders in the PNW.
I cannot for the life of me. decide on tires. I'm currently running the first gen Conti Mountain King 2.4 Protections. They are acceptable for the riding I do, but lack tremendously when there are loose on hard surfaces in corners, and when things get a little greasy. I don't know how many times my front tire has partially washed out nearly sending me to certain death; I'm fucking done.
Currently looking at the obvious, Minion DHF/DHR II combo, Trail King 2.4's, and not really considering the Kenda Nevegals or Excavators. If you (Bakerpow, I know you've got something for me here) have any experience on any of these tires, please help me out! If you can be specific about which width/compound/ply, that would definitely help.
Thanks guys! Pictures to come as soon as I have everything in hand.
Handlebar that showed up for me today:
specialized tires all day. the guy that designed the dhf left maxxis to work for spec. basically their tires are upgraded maxxis patterns on way better casings. 2bliss is hands down the easiest conversion out there. any type of casing/ compound spec has. cheaper than other premium brands too.
usually not a huge spec guy but they have their tires dialed.
b-kul
Active member
^one more thought, if you are ready to sacrifice everything for cornering poweress try a steve peat modded nev. doesn't want to roll very fast but my god can you lean it. i tried it for a day and ultimately didn't have the balls to get the most out of the tire.so if you're into smashing corners like brendog try it.
division.bell
Active member
13040079:b-kul said:
I've looked at the Butcher and Purgatory tires in the past, but for some reason I just can't spend money on anything with the big "S" branded on it.
I'm not trying to sacrifice anything to be honest. I need a sturdy do-it-all tire for the often wet and slippery roots and rocks that we have in the PNW. But, they also do need to be able to hold a solid line when things get dusty during our infrequent spurts of hot and dry weather.
I'm trying to find something under 900 grams per tire, the less weight the better, but I don't want to be concerned with sidewall tears or punctures. I will be running tubes all the time so no need for UST or tubeless specific tires. And I have no real budget, but I just want predictable and confidence inspiring tires. My tires are anything but...
Main complaints with my current Mountain King 2.4's:
loss of traction in the rear during steep and tech climbing, regardless of body position (in the saddle, on the nose of the saddle, or standing and grinding it out)
lack of traction in the rear wheel during hard braking, especially in loose or wet conditions. Also wet roots and rocks, things can get sketchy quick if you get off your line.
unpredictable front tire during hard cornering in loose on hard surfaces, and the really slick and greasy mud days.
b-kul
Active member
i can understand the hang up on spec. unfortunate because they make exactly what you want but it is what it is. a dhf/ dhr2 combo sounds up your alley but will be heavier than you want. id also check out the hr2. also I've never been on it but people give the hans damphf rave reviews, but it is a schwable so it is expensive and will chunk. muddy marry could work too but same problems as the hd.
division.bell
Active member
13040152:b-kul said:
I intend on stopping by the local Specialized shops as I have two nearby and playing with the tires in hand a bit before I make any decisions. Which tires would you recommend for my needs?
I've considered both Schwalbe and the HD, but I haven't heard the greatest in regards to reliability. I guess it depends on the compound, but I haven't seen enough consistent reviews to want to try them out.
b-kul
Active member
13040159:division.bell said:
the butcher is a dhf clone. lots of casings and compounds to choose from. out back id look at a new purg. bites hard but rolls fast. thats what i ran and was impressed pretty much everywhere.id say though if you prioritize the down over the up run a butcher/ butcher setup. more confident braking and not much of a hit in terms of rolling speed.
division.bell
Active member
13040170:b-kul said:
Thanks man. I'll definitely look in to the Specialized tires a bit more. Is there a specific compound to choose or avoid in your opinion with the Specialized tires?
13040194:B-runge said:
What were the conditions like?
How long were you able to ride on the tires?
What other tires have you ridden and liked/disliked?
And do you know which compound they were?
b-kul
Active member
i run control versions of the butcher and the purg, both are lightweight 2bliss carcasses and 50a and 60a/50aa respectively. i like that casing and compound (155 pounds, dry conditions). if you are heavy and want a stickier compound check out the sx, 45a on a tougher carcass. or even the dh, 42a over 70a on a 2 ply. there are lots of options, if you want give me specifics and ill recommend one.
FuckAllOfYou
Active member
13039504:Tinga said:
This is a blatant falsehood. 27.5 isn't even extremely popular yet and 29ers continue to dominate the market. 29 is still the most popular wheelsize for XC by a long shot.
